Islam is the major religion of the nations of this region with the exception of Israel. The Koran, the holy book of the Muslim religion, dictates Muslim Islamic food habits. It also dictates that animals must be slaughtered according to a specific ritual in order for them to be eaten.
Judaism is the major religion of Israel. According to Jewish law, "milchig" or dairy foods cannot be made or eaten with "fleishig" or meat foods. Two sets of utensils are needed to prepare foods in a kosher manner that adheres to these religious laws.
Pareve foods are foods that do not contain meat or dairy and may be eaten at any time. Examples are: eggs, fruits, vegetables, cereals, fish and baked goods that are made with vegetable shortening.
Common ingredients in this region include: garlic, lemon, green pepper, eggplant and tomato.
Fruits are: quince, pomegranates, figs,melons, apricots, dates, grapes and oranges.
Fish must have both scales and fins for them to be eaten, so shellfish are forbidden by Jewish food law.
Pork is not permitted to be eaten by Muslims or Jews.
Common dishes & food terms are listed below:
Terms below are those you are already familiar with OR are found elsewhere on this wikispace.
Hummus
Fleishig
Kosher - below are the symbols that identify a food as kosher.
kosherfood.about.com
Milchig
Baklava
Lamb
Rice
Felafel
Pareve
View pictures below to help match the dish with the description:
Shish Kebab
Judaism is the major religion of Israel. According to Jewish law, "milchig" or dairy foods cannot be made or eaten with "fleishig" or meat foods. Two sets of utensils are needed to prepare foods in a kosher manner that adheres to these religious laws.
Pareve foods are foods that do not contain meat or dairy and may be eaten at any time. Examples are: eggs, fruits, vegetables, cereals, fish and baked goods that are made with vegetable shortening.
Common ingredients in this region include: garlic, lemon, green pepper, eggplant and tomato.
Fruits are: quince, pomegranates, figs,melons, apricots, dates, grapes and oranges.
Fish must have both scales and fins for them to be eaten, so shellfish are forbidden by Jewish food law.
Pork is not permitted to be eaten by Muslims or Jews.
Common dishes & food terms are listed below:
Terms below are those you are already familiar with OR are found elsewhere on this wikispace.
Hummus
Fleishig
Kosher - below are the symbols that identify a food as kosher.
Milchig
Baklava
Lamb
Rice
Felafel
Pareve
View pictures below to help match the dish with the description:
Shish Kebab
Halal
Blintzs
Mazza - The Middle Eastern term for appetizers
Chelo Kebab
Haram - Islamic Foods that cannot be eaten
Challah
Gefelte Fish
Take a moment to check out this Middle Eastern Foods Blog
Now that you've read more about Middle Eastern geography and foods, visit the Activities page and choose one of the activities to complete.
Activities